Three released in OAP murder probe

Detectives have released three of four men arrested in connection with the murder of a pensioner found battered to death at her country cottage.

The men were detained on Monday at an ex-offenders' hostel in Otterbourne, near Winchester, Hampshire, 500 yards from where 77-year-old Georgina Edmonds was found dead at her home.

A Hampshire police spokeswoman said three men, aged 21, 28 and 36, have been released without charge.

But a 37-year-old man remains in custody.

Magistrates have now granted detectives a further extension to continue questioning the remaining man, she added.

Mrs Edmonds was discovered by her son, Harry, 52, and a family friend when he returned home from work on Friday The popular pensioner lived in a cottage in the grounds of her son's home at Brambridge, and a post-mortem examination found she died from extensive head injuries.

The men were arrested at the Elderfield House hostel at about 7.40am on Monday morning.

An intensive examination of the buildings has taken place with forensic officers combing the grounds.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Barton, who is leading the investigation, said detectives were keeping an "open mind" and he appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Elderfield House is a "moving on" church charity hostel for ex-offenders wanting to rebuild their lives after prison, but local people have longed campaigned for it to close saying the occupants cause trouble and come and go as they please.